Beneficial effect of Lu3+ and Yb3+ ions in UV laser materials

Several Lu3+- and Y3+-based oxide and fluoride single crystals with isomorphic structures and doped with Ce3+ (or Pr3+) or codoped with Yb3+ ions have been grown and studied to show the beneficial effects of the Lu3+ and Yb3+ ions on their broad-band UV luminescence properties. Time-resolved color center absorption measurements clearly show the reduction of the usually observed UV laser pump-induced optical losses and thus confirm the previous gain and laser results obtained in these materials. Some preliminary interpretations of the involved mechanisms are advanced. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved